SB Nation User Blog: tafkasam

Unselfish Greg Monroe, best player in draft?

tafkasam — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:49:23 -0000

Unselfish Greg Monroe, best player in draft?

6-11, 247 lb guy who passes out of low and high post like Chris Webber? I'm sure Anthony Morrow would appreciate this. I really think he's kind of guy who will get scrutinized for college system then floorish in pros

Trade with Warriors

tafkasam — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 22:57:22 -0000

Hi Bullets fans. First just wanna preface by saying its good to see Agent Zero back. As a Warriors fan I'll always be fond of him. I had a trade idea for Caron Butler, and was wondering what you all think.

I am reading Caron Butler might be on the trading block? It seems he's having a hard time adapting to flip's system. To be honest, i've always liked his game. He'd help our young team in need of a veteran who is not a jerk like Stack Jack. So I have multiple proposals, depending on whether you want more financial flexibility or talent.....

Trade 1: Raja Bell + Speedy Claxton. Speedy is more or less retired so 80+ % of his 5 million dollar contract are picked up by insurance. Something I'm sure your Wizards management would love being in luxury tax. Raja is technically untradeable till january 15 as is, and won't be able to suit up till february. However he'd be a perfect fit for what Flip wants at 2guard. Still an elite defender, unselfish and can hit outside shots. He also expires so in the end of the season you have 10+ mil (what Caron would get paid) off the books, and in summer you could sign a player more apt to compliment Gilbert

Trade 2: Kelenna Azubuike + Raja + Devean George. George is like Speedy's case only he makes 1.6 mil. Kelenna it would hurt me to trade. He is out for the year but is on an extremely small contract for how effective he's been. Probably the warriors best defender and an over 45% 3pt shooter, who is just as effective going to the rim (career .557 TS%, on par w/ kobe and co.) He's another player who doesn't need the ball much and can play 2 or 3 effectively. With Bell you'd obviously receive a player who can play 2 for the end of the season, and if you can get it together and push for playoffs. Would be a huge addition

I realize neither option are really to be considered till closer to trade deadline. Wondering what you all think?

Chicago Shopping Tyrus Thomas

tafkasam — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 04:23:51 -0000

Chicago Shopping Tyrus Thomas

I don't get how trading Tyrus Thomas shed's cap space. As far as I knew he was a restricted free agent. AKA they can not sign him...

Wouldn't mind sending bell for him though

Raptors HQ- Trading Bosh

tafkasam — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:40:22 -0000

Raptors HQ- Trading Bosh

Seems like there are rumblings Bosh could be traded by deadline. If there was anyway we could get an extension I'd give them Biedrins and Randolph and not think twice

Post Jackson Trade- Is Monta a budding All-Star? (updated!)

tafkasam — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:41:23 -0000

I'll premise this by saying, I don't think Monta will be an all star. Not because of lack of talent, but more because of the depth of established guards in the west. Chris Paul and Kobe are likely to be voted in. Steve Nash and Brandon Roy are near locks and I'm hard pressed to see Monta beating out Deron Williams, Tony Parker, Chauncey Billups or others in a coaches vote. However I want to take a second to reflect upon Monta's numbers in the Post-Young Fella Era. I realize it's a small sample size, but its definitely something we should monitor

via www.nba.com

Since the trade (in 7 games) Monta has posted:

43.3 MPG, 12-24.5 fg per, 48.8 FG%, 5-16 3pt, 6.3-7.4 ft per game, 84.6 ft%, .551 TS%, 30.7 PPG

3.7 rpg,5.6 apg, 5.1 ToPG, 3.6 steals per

(stats updated POST-indiana game... Keep in mind the warriors have played 5 road games in the 7 game span. 6 games against playoff teams, and are 3-4)

First thing that pops out is the turn overs are way to high. One 11 turn over game in the context of a 6 game average will do that to you. If we take that game out, his average is 6 apg, 3.6 ToPG. Still by no means great but starting to get better. When compared with some of the better playmaking 2 guards Monta's 1.67:1 assist to turn over ratio is not as bad as we suspect. For reference (career averages):

Kobe: 4.6 assists, 2.9 turnovers. 1.58:1 ratio

Dwayne Wade: 6.6 assist, 3.8 turnovers, 1.73:1

Brandon Roy: 5.1 assists, 2.1 turnovers, 2.4:1

Manu Ginobili: 3.6 assists, 2.1 turnovers, 1.7:1

Joe Johnson: 4.4 assists, 2.2 turnovers, 2:1

and finally Monta's CAREER Asist:TO: 1.56:1. Clearly Monta is not in the above players class yet. But being just 24, and analyzing the numbers, he may not be as far away from being a playmaker as many think. It's a role he hasn't really been asked to do. Pre 2008, Baron was the playmaker and he played off ball. Last season and until recently, Jackson was the man excepted to do so. Now that Jackson is gone, for lack of a better term, this has become "Monta's Team". We all know Monta will never be a classic point guard. but with the exception of teams like Phoenix, New Orleans, Utah, very few teams play with one. You can already see the ball movement is improving. As it continues to grow, I see no reason Monta cannot be our primary playmaker (ball handler, PG, whatever term you want to give it), the way Kobe, Dwayne Wade, and others are for there respective teams.

Next thing that jumps out to me is his scoring. 28.6 ppg! He is shooting 47.6% which is not bad considering the volume of shots he takes. I don't think he will ever reach the 53% level again until he has another legitimate scorer next to him to take off the pressure. That being said, he is taking the weight of being "the guy" on a team that is young and scoring almost at will. The one thing he needs to do to become more efficient is get to the line more often. He showed it at times he can get to the line 10+ times a game, and for him to truly become an elite scorer in the league thats the one thing I think he needs to be able to do consistently.

Finally the last thing that jumps out to me is the strides Monta is making defensively. Because of physical limitations, he will never be a lock down defender, but off ball, he is really showing to be a gigantic pest, getting loose balls and lots of steals.

Ultimately, I don't expect Monta to be an all-star this year, however he is showing me he can be a legitimate first or second option guy on a team expected to make the playoffs. As of right now he doesn't have the players around him to make that happen, but perhaps with the addition of 1 established player, the growth of your young players, and of course the health of our players (particularly our bigs). Perhaps Monta is becoming the player management hoped he would be when they gave him that contract. And more so, every day he is showing the contract is not only fair, but perhaps even below market value for the player he can become.

via www.nba.com

Perhaps one day the Warriors won't be advertising opposing teams superstars, but our own!

One on One with Evan Turner

tafkasam — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:29:34 -0000

One on One with Evan Turner

A player we REALLY should think about drafting (despite being a wing player). He's got alot of BRoy/Penny hardaway in him.

Build the team around Monta!

tafkasam — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:37:19 -0000

The Captain Jack era is finally over and if it wasn't already declared "We Believe" is officially 100% in the coffin. Sadly, as Warriors fan we have come used to the concept of "re-building" and its time to once again, go down that path.

When I look at our roster, there is talent. Monta, Steph Curry, Anthony Randolph, Andris Biedrins are all capable NBA starters with the first three possessing "star potential" (or at least the perception around the league is such). Anthony Morrow, Keleena Azuibuike. Ronnie Turiaf are also fairly prices role players I'm sure any team would love to have. Throw in Corey Maggette (who may possess an awful contract) who when healthy is a productive veteran at what he does (score, score, score and buy pf changs) and Brandan Wright (a bit of an enigma, but only 22 has the tools to be a productive NBA player.

The problem is, this roster is poorly formed. There are too many similar players, and we're lacking specific characteristics (anyone who can defend, rebound and size inside). what needs to be done is a massive reshaping of the roster. Moves need to be made to build a cohesive team, not jut a collection of good individuals who can't play winning basketball together.

For me the most glaring decision that needs to be made is Monta or Curry? We will never be able to start both and be a playoff team (unless we somehow get Dwight Howard and Kevin Garnett inside). More so, both players need the ball in there hands, and as much as Don Nelson may disagree, there is only one ball. For me the decision is simple, build around Monta, trade curry, and here is why:

via www.nba.com

First off lets look at the non-basketball reasons. Monta has signed a long term contract with the club at a reason price. He had 5 years/55 mil remaining, barring another Jack situation (a risk we have to take with any player) he can't leave. Secondly, because of the moped, he's damaged his reputation around the league. We will not get equal talent for him today, its that simple. Stephen Curry on the other hand, is a wide-eyed rookie many teams love. He's shown some good things, and with the Warriors in turmoil his value may actually be higher (lack of defense is of course Don Nelsons fault, not Curry's). Curry also says all the right things and is very marketable.

Now getting to basketball. No one will paint Monta as a true PG, but he is a playmaker. He is a player like kobe, Broy etc. who NEEDS the ball in his hands, in critical moments (I'm not saying he's close to there level but I think you follow). His shooting percentage is rising. It may never be 53% again (well it certainly won't be until he's surrounded with enough talent so teams don't 100% key on him). He's shown he can penetrate, and hit open shooters on the outside. At 24, he will only get better (as he's been plying PG for what 9 games?) If we surround him with wing players who can help move the ball, ease the tension, I think we'll be fine. My point is, he'll never be Chris Paul or Jason Kidd, so why try to run that type of offense with him? Put him in a ball movement offense.

Curry has alot of things going for him, but simply put, Monta has proven he can play in the NBA, is only about 2.5 years older than Curry (he's hardly old), and Monta has the required athleticism to elevate in this league, something curry doesn't.

Finally Monta is respected among players in the NBA. And as silly as it sounds, we won't get a better player in free agency if we just salary dumped him. Warriors have an awful reputation. They need to build something, starting organically, with some trades, before free agents decide they will take an MLE here over LA, San Antonio or somehwere else.

Why not try and trade Curry to NYC for Gallinari (it's been mentioned by a few). I'd even be willing to pick up Jared Jefferies, if it was necessary. We know how much the Knicks wanted Curry. We also know how much Lebron likes curry.

Infact don't even focus on trades. but this team needs a direction. And I'm willing to say, lets build around Monta, put complementary pieces in place around him and see what happens. Or we can run out CJ, Monta, Curry, Raja Bell and Maggette and enjoy a 22 win season

Chris Paul Unhappy

tafkasam — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:46:00 -0000

Chris Paul Unhappy

"Chris is heartbroken and he’s angry," a source close to him said Thursday. "Byron is the only coach he’s known in the pros, and he’s practically in mourning right now. The only thing that made this worse for him was that [Jeff] Bower took over.

"Jeff’s got a lot of work to do to win Chris over."

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I'd trade everyone and the kitchen sink for him if it goes poorly. but lets be honest, aside from Dwade and Lebron... every team would trade anything for him too

First Hoopshype mock draft

tafkasam — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:27:22 -0000

First Hoopshype mock draft

Hello Donatas Motiejunas, Or by description "Hello New Bargnani!"

"Maggette is currently my bestlLow post defender" - Don Nelson (summarizing what he said)

tafkasam — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:48:12 -0000

"Maggette is currently my bestlLow post defender" - Don Nelson

(summarizing what he said)

KNBR on Razor and Mr. T